Building Permits

Building Permit Fee Schedule(PDF, 93KB)

We are now accepting electronic plans

Construction plans must be submitted with building permit applications

If you have questions about building codes please contact Scott McCambridge, Assistant Building Official, at 515-239-5253 or scott.mccambridge@cityofames.org.

Project Applications / Guidelines / Standards

• Additions / Alterations (Commercial) Application(PDF, 427KB)
  • Additions / Alterations (Commercial) Submittal Requirements(PDF, 133KB)
• Additions / Alterations (Residential) Application(PDF, 1MB)
• Basement Finish Application(PDF, 752KB)
• Building Permit Application(PDF, 427KB)
• Code Modification Application(PDF, 521KB)
• Cold Weather Concrete Policy(PDF, 120KB)
• Commercial Kitchen Requirements(PDF, 513KB)
• Commercial Restroom Requirements(PDF, 1004KB)
• COSESCO Application(PDF, 3MB)
• Deck (Residential)Application(PDF, 811KB)
  • Deck (Residential) Guidelines(PDF, 3MB)
• Demolition Application(PDF, 168KB)
• Driveway Access and Paving Application(PDF, 226KB)
• Egress Window Application(PDF, 655KB)
  • Egress Window Guidelines(PDF, 145KB)
• Fence
  • No permit required
    Fence standards(PDF, 56KB)
    Contact the Planning Department at 515-239-5400 for more information
• Fireblocking (Residential) Guidelines(PDF, 654KB)
• Garage - Attached Application(PDF, 796KB)
• Garage - Detached Application(PDF, 786KB)
• Meter Request - Utility Customer Service
• New Building (Commercial) Application(PDF, 427KB)
  • New Building (Commercial) Submittal Requirements(PDF, 133KB)
• New Single Family Home (Residential) Application(PDF, 2MB)
• Ramp (Commercial) Application(PDF, 427KB)
  • Ramp (Commercial) Application Guidelines(PDF, 475KB)
• Ramp (Residential) Application(PDF, 597KB)
• Remodel (Residential) Application(PDF, 751KB)
• Sample Site Plan Example(PDF, 37KB)
• Shed Application(PDF, 1MB)
• Sign Application(PDF, 555KB)
• Solar Panels 
• Stairs (Commercial) Application(PDF, 427KB)
  • Stairs (Commercial) Guidelines(PDF, 554KB)
• Stairs (Residential) Application(PDF, 1MB)
  • Stairs (Residential) Application Guidelines(PDF, 1MB)
• Sunroom Application(PDF, 792KB)

Contractors must be registered with the State of Iowa Division of Labor.